DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY JULY 7
2.42 WORCESTER
I’M A STARMAN (best price 5-2) arrives here on a bit of a roll and with two of his latest successes coming over today’s course, Mark Rimell’s inmate can complete the hat trick on his return to fences.
The 12-year-old was one of the first who came off the bridle coming out of the back straight but he stayed on best of all and the fact he and the runner-up, Spitafield, pulled well clear of the rest, backed up the view that in a classic case of survival of the fittest, only those who were willing to go through the pain barrier got the rewards.
Moreover, the data from the race a month ago was very good and with the runner-up going on to boost the form next time, the son of Schiaparelli can follow suit back at his old stomping ground.
I’M A STARMAN – 1-point win@5-2
7.00 RIPON
The maiden won by Danger Bay at Hamilton was a very warm one of its kind and LOVETTE (best price 13-2), who acquitted herself well under the circumstances, should end up being more competitive against a noticeably weaker set of rivals.
Jumping in behind a hot early gallop set by Liberty Flame, the daughter of Oasis Dream was taken back to race just off the leaders and although her odds of 66-1 suggested she should have fallen back through the telly from halfway, she surprisingly kept on really well over on the far rail to finish a respectable fifth.
Looking at the speed figure and those who fought out the finish, she probably ran to a level of a horse rated in the mid-70’s and considering today’s favourite, Balahaged, has earned a mark of 68, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t give a good account of herself if allowed to run on her merits (third run for handicap mark).
LOVETTE – ½ point each-way@13-2
7.13 ROSCOMMON
PATTY O’FARRELL (best price 5-1) ran out a convincing winner of a competitive mares’ handicap at Listowel last time out and even back against the boys, she looks good enough to make a bold bid to repeat the dose.
Peter Maher’s mare didn’t manage to build on her promising effort in a maiden at Naas on her penultimate outing at Tipperary but she pieced it altogether in no uncertain terms at the Kerry venue, travelling well throughout before powering clear in the closing stages.
Looking at her final circuit time compared to the likes of Stuntman Steve and La Note Verte, she just edged the bragging rights in that department and even though this scopey mare’s future very much lies over fences, she can continue to make hay in this discipline for the foreseeable future.
PATTY O’FARRELL – ½ point each-way@5-1 (five places)